Warrensville Heights Democratic Rep. Marcia Fudge meets one of her favorite music groups, The O'Jays, after they performed at a reception in her honor at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 43rd Annual Legislative Conference.Sabrina Eaton, The Plain Dealer

WASHINGTON, D.C. - After spending the day fighting cuts to the food stamp program on the House of Representatives floor, Warrensville Heights Democratic Rep. Marcia Fudge spent Thursday night unwinding with Rock & Roll Hall of Famers the O'Jays at a Thursday night reception sponsored by organizations including Cleveland's Rock Hall.

The event honoring Fudge's Congressional Black Caucus chairmanship was part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's yearly legislative conference. The R&B trio from Canton who recorded the 1970s hit "Love Train" added Northeast Ohio flavor to the evening, as did menu items like polish sausage and "Ohio Corn Salad."

Most Congressional Black Caucus members were there, as was House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Ohio Congress members Tim Ryan, a Niles-area Democrat, and Republicans Jim Renacci of Wadsworth and Dave Joyce of Russell Township.

Renacci and Joyce say they're friends with Fudge despite disagreeing on issues such as the bill to cut $39 billion from the food stamp program over the next decade, which both Republicans supported.

"We agree on doing the right thing for Northeast Ohio," Renacci said.

Former Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell - the current staff director at the U.S. Senate's Small Business Committee - attended, too, as did Mervyn Jones, the son of Fudge's congressional predecessor, Stephanie Tubbs Jones. The younger Jones is currently an aide to New York Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley.

"She has risen to this leadership post because she has earned the respect, rightfully so, of her colleagues, because Marcia has been, really, the conscience of the conscience," Wasserman Schultz told the crowd. "She has consistently stood for people who need their voice amplified."

Other sponsors of the event included Toyota, General Electric, McDonald's, Mary Kay cosmetics and the Communication Workers of America.

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